Investigating bounds on decoherence in quantum mechanics via B and D -mixing

Abstract

We investigate bounds on decoherence in quantum mechanics by studying B and D-mixing observables, making use of many precise new measurements, particularly from the LHC and B factories. In that respect we show that the stringent bounds obtained by a different group in 2013 rely on unjustified assumptions. Finally, we point out which experimental measurements could improve the decoherence bounds considerably. Crown

Bound on dissipative effects from semileptonic neutral B-meson decays

“…Although compatible with zero, the obtained value for the parameter A represents one of the best tests so far available of the presence of dissipative effects in elementary particle physics. Indeed, going back to the original parameter α = Γ A entering the dissipative contribution to the evolution equation (2), one can re-express the result (20) as the following upper bound: α ≤ 7.9 · 10 −15 GeV (95% CL), not very far from the estimate based on quantum gravity effects mentioned before. The future availability of more accurate data sets and the combined analysis of additional B-meson observables will surely improve this result.…”

“…In particular, efforts [18][19][20] have been made to provide upper bounds on the so-called "decoherence parameter", originally introduced in [21]; this constant parametrizes a possible modification of the interference term that appears in the expression of quantum mechanical probabilities as a consequence of the superposition principle. As such, this parameter is of kinematical character, not involving directly the B-meson dynamics.…”